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Dingell warming to GOP plan?

Republican Reps. Joe Barton of Texas and Fred Upton of Michigan, two senior members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, along with former Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), huddled with committee Chairman John Dingell (D-Mich.) last week in a bid to win Dingell's support for a GOP auto-mileage proposal, a move that could mean more headaches for Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

The House is expected to take up an energy package, still being drafted by Democratic leaders, before adjourning for the August recess next week. And Republicans are looking to exploit a split between Dingell and Democratic leaders over the auto-mileage issue, a critical topic for U.S. automakers.

Dingell has clashed repeatedly with Pelosi over global warming and legislative efforts to combat it, and requiring cars to get better mileage is a key component in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Earlier in the year, Pelosi named Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) to head up a special global warming panel, a move that infuriated Dingell. And she has also already stated that she supports the Senate proposal, despite strong opposition from Dingell, one of the most loyal advocates for car-makers on Capitol Hill.

Barton, Hastert and 26 other Republicans want to boost their chances to offer a Republican proposal (H.R. 3059) to increase the corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards. Under the GOP plan, there would be different mileage standards for cars and light trucks. Automobiles would be required to achieve 35 miles per gallon by 2022, while light trucks would need to achieve 27.5 mpg.

Dingell is a currently a co-sponsor of a rival CAFE increase proposal (H.R. 2927) by Reps. Baron Hill (D-Ind.) and Lee Terry (R-Neb.). The Hill-Terry plan, which has the backing of the auto industry, would keep CAFE standards separate for cars and trucks but require fleet averages for all vehicles sold to be no less than 32 mpg and no greater than 35 mpg by 2022.

Markey and Rep. Todd R. Platts (R-Pa.) are offering a CAFE proposal similar to the Senate plan that would mandate a mileage standard of 35 mpg for all cars and light trucks by 2018.

The Markey-Platts bill has the most support, with 149 co-sponsors so far, while the Hill-Terry bill has 85. Republicans are arguing to Dingell that if he threw his support behind the Barton-Hastert plan, it would be a serious threat to the Democratic leadership's efforts to pass Markey-Platts.

Democratic leaders are considering allowing the Markey-Platts proposal as an amendment to the energy package; if that fails, they would seek a floor vote on the Senate's CAFE proposal.

Republicans believe that if Dingell were to sign onto their plan as a backup in case the Hill-Terry proposal fails to garner majority support, they could push through the GOP proposal, even over Pelosi's objections.

A Republican insider said that Dingell was "noncommittal" during the meeting with Barton, Hastert and Upton -- not saying "anything one way or the other" about his plans for a floor fight over auto mileage and whether he would support Republicans.

Dingell and Hastert enjoy warm personal ties, according to House insiders, and are in many ways closer than Pelosi and Dingell. Those two have fought a running battle that dates back years, and the CAFE clash is not going to do anything to slow it down.

Update: Here is Dingell's comment bashing my story. He does not deny that the meeting with the Republicans on the Barton-Hastert CAFE bill took place, but he does say that he has no intention of voting for the Republican legislation. Dingell also says he supports Pelosi on the overall energy package, despite the the fact that they are backing rival CAFE bills and Dingell tried mightily to block the creation of Markey's special global-warming panel. Please also note, for all those that have commented on this article, that Politico did not report that Dingell was going to definitely throw his support to the Barton-Hastert bill. And for the record, I did talk to Democratic sources, as well as Republican sources, for this story. I have been doing this for a long time, a lot longer than most of you have been paying attention to Congress. You may not like the story, but it's true. Also remember that Dingell has been around for a long, long time, and he knows how to respond to a problematic story. Read carefully what he is not saying, as well as what he is saying. Thanks, John

Dingell: "This morning's story in the Politico suggesting that I would consider supporting the Barton-Hastert plan is utterly false. Had the Politico asked me, they would have heard a simple answer: no. I am working closely with House Speaker Pelosi to craft an energy bill that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, promote alternative energy sources, reduce carbon emissions that cause global warming, and build a better future for our children. That is my priority, the Speaker's priority, and the priority of the House Democratic Caucus."

Update: Following is the comment posted in response to this blog entry by Chaiman Dingell:

?This morning?s story in the Politico suggesting that I would consider supporting the Barton-Hastert plan is utterly false. Had the Politico asked me, they would have heard a simple answer: no. I am working closely with House Speaker Pelosi to craft an energy bill that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, promote alternative energy sources, reduce carbon emissions that cause global warming, and build a better future for our children. That is my priority, the Speaker?s priority, and the priority of the House Democratic Caucus.?